As can be read here https://help.mikrotik.com/docs/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=250708058 then there is a warning not to connect poe powered devices to gorund.
I have not seen such a warning from other vendors before, is this specific to mikrotik PoE? And isn’t that very impractical?
CRS320-8P-8B-4S+RM is a Type 1 device which by law must be connected to ground, does this mean that CRS320-8P-8B-4S+RM is not compatible with STP cabling?
And what about ESD protection for the powered devices, some devices require supplementary grounding for that to work some even for warranty, from radios to PTZ cameras. and for the RBGPOE-CON-HP workaround method that is mentioned several times, it probably does not solve the problem described as an attempted solution, if you have an af/at device that is not isolated from ground, it cannot be supplied from RBGPOE-CON -HP since this one outputs passive PoE 24V, or is there something I have misunderstood ?
What I think Mikrotik has done here is the “easy way out”, most domestic (electric) installations doesn’t have too good of an bonding-plan or bonding infrastructure in place, this is where the “model” Mikrotik shows is easiest one to avoid any issues with improper grounding → to have only one point of ground ever connected.
While this “works”, it indeed doesn’t take into account that some end-devices needs to have grounding in place also, or they suggest the galvanic isolator is the answer, which it sometimes can be, but not always practical or possible. Also the modem Mikrotik specifically sells/has in instructions shows it’s age, no official support for PoE++ etc. Of course there exist other manufacturers too.
The part that is left out altogether is that if the ground-bonding is done properly, it is very okay, normal and even preferred to have both/all ends grounded (when end-device does requires ground). So I think Mikrotik has “just” played it safest on their side and “prohibited” “multipoint.grounding” alltogether.
And lastly I’d say that if you know your grounding, or more so, bonding, there will be no issues doing it from both ends. This is what I have done and will keep doing. Of course I will not take responsibility from any of your electrical installations
The CRS320-8P-8B-4S+RM fully implements the 802.3 af/at/bt standard and supports PoE+ (at) and PoE++ (bt)
The switch itself requires grounding, but it doesn’t have grounding issues generally—only designs with non-isolated PoE-in PD`s risk ground loops when grounded, where MikroTik advises caution.
